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My boyfriend and I share a healthy passion for plant nurseries so on a very sunny Tuesday last week, it was no surprise that we found ourselves at Molbak’s. We weren’t expecting to buy anything but I should really know better than that. All we wanted was a nice open space, where I could roll around outside on my hospital-issued scooter apparatus, while I’m still recovering from foot surgery. I was really enjoying the fresh air and sunshine when I rolled right up to a sign that read “70% off leeks”! My garden books say it’s a bit late to get started on winter leeks, but at 70% off, what have I got to lose? My sweet boyfriend had already agreed to help me plant some garlic anyway, so when I asked if he’d mind planting the leeks for me too, he said, and I quote: “sure thing, Sugar Bear“.

We made it back to the house with several hours of sun still to enjoy so he sat me down on a picnic blanket by the garden where I could watch as he planted our new treasures.

We had several types of garlic that we picked up weeks ago from City People’s -  both hard-neck and soft, because I don’t know which I prefer yet. I didn’t grow garlic last season and I really missed it so I’m very excited to have it back in our garden again.

As the sun began to set, it lit up our lovely maple tree whose falling leaves will soon be gathered and spread over our new beds of leeks and garlic, like a blanket protecting them from the approaching frost.

It was a wonderful day. I felt so in love with the season, the weather, the garden and most of all, my wonderful, doting boyfriend.

The other day I came home from a long day at the office to an empty house after my sweetie had already left for a long night at sea. This is a common occurrence as we are often two ships passing in the night with our very different work schedules. On this seemingly ordinary evening though, a very special gift was left out for me to find. A copy of a brand new book that just came out in July - Preserve It!

I forgot any plans I had made for the evening and was immediately captivated by the pages of this book where I found the revival of traditional recipes like Candied Citrus Peel and Cherries in Brandy and many fresh ideas for the modern palate as well. The beautiful color photos make your mouth water. I’m already torn between two recipes I’m dying to try first: Pumpkin and Orange Spiced Jam or Apricot and Champagne Conserve but I really need to use up my carrot crop and there’s a recipe for Carrot and Coriander Relish so where do I begin?

Yes the note reads “Love you like pickled beans”. He found this book on a shelf at Molbak’s and he knew I would have to have it. He knows me too well but he didn’t go all the way out to Molbak’s to find a cookbook - we are also the proud owners of  two new gooseberry bushes.

 Alyse to Coworker:“I heard you can fill up a whole garbage can of Zoo Doo for only 10 dollars!”

Coworker: “That sounds like a bunch of BS.”

It’s the Annual Fall Fecal Fest at Woodland Park Zoo - Enter for your chance to buy the highly coveted Zoo Doo in bulk by mailing in a postcard from Sept. 1 through Sept. 19.  See press release for more details. 

The Department of Neighborhoods is inviting community suggestions for new P-Patch garden sites until August, 2010.  There is particular interest in suggestions for the priority areas that have few or no potential garden sites identified yet such as Queen Anne, NW West Seattle, N. Delridge, Rainier Beach, N. Beacon Hill, and Ravenna Bryant, among others. Click here to read all about it and submit your suggestion.

Guest post by Dan Grifen – a green blogger from everythingleft.com

“In other environmental issues we tell people to stop something, reduce their impact, reduce their damage,” – US Ecologist Gary Nabham

Since the beginning of the green movement, there has been a rise in the number of organizations and businesses that are doing their part in the promotion of sustainability through conservation. As human beings, we’re told to reduce our carbon footprint, consume less unhealthy foods, and spend less time in the shower! But let’s take a minute to step back and look at this from a different perspective; one that Gary Nabham strongly suggests.

Gary Paul Nabham, phD., is a Arab-American writer/conservationist whose extensive farming work in the U.S./Mexico borderlands region has made him world renowned. Specifically speaking, Nabham is known for his work in biodiversity as an ethnobotanist. His uplifting messages and attitude towards life and culture has granted us access to multiple beneficial theories including his latest of eat what you conserve.

According to The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, about three quarters of the genetic diversity of crops have been vanishing over the last century and that a dozen species now gives 90% of the animal protein eaten globally. In accordance, just 4 crop species supply half of plant based calories in the human diet.

Nabham claims that by eating the fruits and vegetables that we are attempting to conserve/save, we’re promoting the granular dissemination of various plant species. But this goes beyond what we typically buy in supermarkets, particularly because of price and abundance. We must remember to try new things and immerse ourselves in the very concept of diversity. Keep in mind – the benefits of splurging for that costly fruit/vegetable supremely outweigh the cons. Not only are you promoting biodiversity and further eliminating the needs of farmers to remove rare, less purchased crops off their agenda, but you’re also effectively encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Agriculturist Marco Contiero mentioned that “biodiversity is an essential characteristic of any sustainable agricultural system, especially in the context of climate change. 1 With sustainable crop efforts being lead by the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) and the IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) the duo plans to provide a more sustainable crop that can withstand natural disasters, avoiding food shortages like Haiti is experiencing. Contiero goes on to state “We need to ensure this is the basis for the future…” – This is exactly what Doug Band, the CGI, and the IRRI are doing by engaging in sustainability efforts.

So remember, next time you’re in the supermarket picking out navel oranges or strawberries, turn your attention to something that’s a bit more “out of season,” or exotic in nature. The same goes for salads/salad ingredients; shop outside the norm, picking spices and vegetables that you wouldn’t normally incorporate into your everyday diet. During such economic downtime it isn’t always easy to maintain the same level of grocery shopping intrigue, but we must also not forget that in this sundry of foods we can find fun!

Dan Grifen – Supporter of all things green and progressive.

Truly Inspiring:

With all of the snow the east coast has seen this winter, the White House garden still found success growing in hoop houses. Think what we could accomplish with hoop houses in Seattle!

The massive amount of fallen petals and leaves from our Camellia this year will make excellent mulch to add to the garden soil this fall which will be broken down all winter by the weather and the earth worms creating a beautifully rich soil ready for next year’s crop and so on. There is no better additive for your garden soil than what nature provides in the form of earth worms.If you don’t see many or any when digging in the soil then you can buy some in tubs from a garden supply store. You have to give them some kind of organic matter to eat in the soil like leaves, coffee grounds or grass clippings, whatever you have that hasn’t been exposed to pesticides.